Farmers with flooded storage facilities have been advised that they can spread soiled water following Storm Babet but there can “be no further spreading of slurry until the slurry spreading season opens next year”.
There has also been a warning issued to farmers that “there will be no excuse for people found spreading slurry in breach of the regulations”.
According to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) farm families across the country have been battling flooded homes, lands and farmyards since Storm Babet first hit.
IFA president, Tim Cullinan, has warned that farmers have faced “increased operational pressures” from moving livestock to drier locations, dealing with fodder stocks that have been destroyed and also coping with flooded on-farm facilities.
Cullinan has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to provide “support” to farm families impacted by Storm Babet.
Minister Charlie McConalogue and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, today (Tuesday, October 24) outlined what actions impacted farmers can take following the major flooding that has occurred because of Storm Babet.
According to Minister McConalogue, following the recent extension of the slurry spreading period to October 14, “in most cases where tanks have been appropriately managed, there should be very little slurry present and, in many cases, what has accumulated during Storm Babet is soiled water”.
He added: “These exceptional weather conditions have caused significant challenges for many people, including our farmers.
“We recognise this and as a result we have moved to give impacted farmers clarity on the actions they can take.”
Currently under the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations subject to “suitable ground conditions and an acceptable weather forecast”, soiled water can be spread up to early December.
But there “can be no further spreading of slurry until the slurry spreading season opens early next year” the department stated.
According to Ministers McConalogue and O’Brien, farmers with flooded slurry storage facilities must ensure that:
- There should be no agitation of material in the tank prior to spreading;
- Soil conditions and the weather forecast must be suitable for the application of soiled water without any risk of run-off;
- Relevant buffer strips must be maintained;
- If a farmer has any concerns that the content of a flooded slurry store may not be soiled water, they should contact their Local Authority before taking any action.
They have also warned that “appropriate sanctions” will be applied if a farmer is found to have spread slurry during the closed period.
Minister O’Brien said: “We must deliver on our commitments to improving water quality and it’s important to note that today’s announcement solely applies to soiled water.
“There will be no excuse for people found spreading slurry in breach of the regulations.”
ICMSA
Separately the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) has welcomed the update from Minister McConalogue on the current position around slurry storage facilities that have been impacted by flooding.
Pat McCormack, president of the ICMSA, said farmers need to be aware of what they can and cannot do following the storm.
“ICMSA has received calls from very concerned and stressed members who through no fault of their own have seen flood waters filling or part-filling their farm’s slurry storage.
“Those farmers were frantic trying to work out what their options were and the minister’s announcement today sets out the options in a manner that shows understanding and a real grasp of the problem,” McCormack added.